Colchester, Vermont
Encyclopedia
Colchester is a town
in Chittenden County
, Vermont
, United States
. The population was 17,067 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth-largest municipality and second-largest town in Vermont by population.
, the town has a total area of 58.6 square miles (151.9 km2), of which 36.9 square miles (95.5 km2) is land and 21.8 square miles (56.3 km2) (37.10%) is water.
In 1922, the city of Winooski
broke away from the town and formed its own city.
of 2000, there were 16,986 people, 6,144 households, and 4,184 families residing in the town. The population density
was 460.5 people per square mile (177.8/km2). There were 6,727 housing units at an average density of 182.4 per square mile (70.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.53% White, 0.63% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.58% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races
, and 0.80% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,144 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples
living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 16.2% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.
for the town was $22,472. About 5.4% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.
The area annually gets an influx of vaactioners every summer from southern New England and the New York City area. Traffic - especially around the Fourth of July holiday - increases by a substantial margin.
is located here.
Albany College of Pharmacy Vermont Campus is located here on Water Tower Hill.
, one middle school, Colchester Middle School, an elementary school Malletts Bay School, and two young schools Porters Point School and Union Memorial School.
Colchester High School
is home to the award-winning Colchester Theatre Company
.
The Colchester School District underwent a teacher strike during October, 2005. The strike began over pay increases but quickly escalated to include many other aspects of the system. The strike ended on October 23, 2005, with an agreement on pay between teachers and board, and school re-opened on Monday the 24th. Negotiations took place for around five hours on October 18, 2005, but resulted in no settlement, and again on the 23rd, resulting in the conclusion to the strike.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Chittenden County
Chittenden County, Vermont
Chittenden County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2010, the population was 156,545. Its shire town is Burlington. Chittenden is the most populous county in the state, with more than twice as many residents as Vermont's second-most populous county, Rutland.Chittenden County...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 17,067 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth-largest municipality and second-largest town in Vermont by population.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 58.6 square miles (151.9 km2), of which 36.9 square miles (95.5 km2) is land and 21.8 square miles (56.3 km2) (37.10%) is water.
History
About 2000 years ago, during the Early Woodland period, pre-Columbians natives lived in the area. Chartered June 7, 1763, the town was named for the Earl of Colchester.In 1922, the city of Winooski
Winooski, Vermont
Winooski is a city in Chittenden County, Vermont, in the United States. Located at the mouth of the Winooski River, as of the 2010 census the city population was 7,267...
broke away from the town and formed its own city.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 16,986 people, 6,144 households, and 4,184 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 460.5 people per square mile (177.8/km2). There were 6,727 housing units at an average density of 182.4 per square mile (70.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.53% White, 0.63% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.58% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.80% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,144 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 16.2% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.
Economy
One measure of economic activity is retail sales. Colchester was fourth in the state in 2007 with $245.8 million.Personal income
The median income for a household in the town was $51,429, and the median income for a family was $58,358. Males had a median income of $38,268 versus $30,880 for females. The per capita incomePer capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $22,472. About 5.4% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.
Tourism
There has been an annual "Lake Champlain International Father's Day Fishing Derby" (LCI) since 1981. In 2009, 6,000 fishermen entered.The area annually gets an influx of vaactioners every summer from southern New England and the New York City area. Traffic - especially around the Fourth of July holiday - increases by a substantial margin.
Public safety
In 2008, property crimes increased by 36.9%. Overall, the number of crimes rose 28.9% to 1,486 incidents.Transportation
In the southeastern part of Colchester, bus service is provided by Chittenden County Transportation Authority.Notable people
- Tom Brennan, former University of Vermont men's basketball coach.
- Ray CollinsRay Collins (baseball player)Ray Williston Collins was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Boston Red Sox. A native of Colchester, Vermont, Collins batted and threw left-handed...
, pitcher for the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1909–1915). - Donato GiancolaDonato GiancolaDonato Giancola is an American artist specializing in science fiction and fantasy illustration.-Biography:Donato Giancola was born in 1967 and raised in Colchester, Vermont, near Burlington, Vermont...
, science fiction and fantasy illustrator.
Education
Saint Michael's CollegeSaint Michael's College
Saint Michael's College is a private, residential liberal arts Catholic college. The campus is located in Colchester, Vermont. It was founded in 1904 by the Society of Saint Edmund, a French order of Catholic priests.-History:...
is located here.
Albany College of Pharmacy Vermont Campus is located here on Water Tower Hill.
Public school system
Around 2,200 children attend the five schools in Colchester's school district. The district consists of one high school, Colchester HSColchester High School (Vermont)
Colchester High School is a public senior high school in Colchester, Vermont, and is part of the Colchester School District in Chittenden County. The high school serves 9th through 12th grades. Enrollment is approximately 650 to 825 students with an annual graduating class of around 190 to 230...
, one middle school, Colchester Middle School, an elementary school Malletts Bay School, and two young schools Porters Point School and Union Memorial School.
Colchester High School
Colchester High School (Vermont)
Colchester High School is a public senior high school in Colchester, Vermont, and is part of the Colchester School District in Chittenden County. The high school serves 9th through 12th grades. Enrollment is approximately 650 to 825 students with an annual graduating class of around 190 to 230...
is home to the award-winning Colchester Theatre Company
Colchester Theatre Company
The Colchester Theatre Company is a high school Theatre troupe in Colchester, Vermont, founded in 1977 by John Coon. It has been nominated for and presented with various awards for talent, effort, and commitment....
.
The Colchester School District underwent a teacher strike during October, 2005. The strike began over pay increases but quickly escalated to include many other aspects of the system. The strike ended on October 23, 2005, with an agreement on pay between teachers and board, and school re-opened on Monday the 24th. Negotiations took place for around five hours on October 18, 2005, but resulted in no settlement, and again on the 23rd, resulting in the conclusion to the strike.
Radio
- WWPV (The Mike) - 88.7 FM (Saint Michael's College, Variety)
- WVMTWVMTWVMT is an English-language American radio station located in Burlington, Vermont.Owned and operated by local businessman Paul S. Goldman, it broadcasts on 620 kHz with a power of 5,000 watts as a class B station, using a directional antenna with slightly different daytime and nighttime directional...
- 620 AM - WXXXWXXXWXXX is a U.S. radio station based in Colchester, Vermont, and licensed in South Burlington. On air and in advertisements the station is known as "95 Triple X." The primary format of the station is Top 40...
"95 Triple X" - 95.5 FM